The Ethiopian Servant of God

The Ethiopian Servant of God by Bishop Macarius is the life of Fr Abd el-Mesih el-Habashi, the Ethiopian monk who was one of the twentieth century's great ascetics in the Egyptian desert. It is for anyone who loves the desert fathers and wants to see their way of life lived in modern times.

His life is a witness that the desert spirituality of the fourth century lives on. He was a man who cared for nothing and no one but the One. His eyes were always on eternity. He was content with just enough food to stay alive and enough clothing to cover himself. He chose God as both his way and his means.

Thousands who met him shared stories of him with wonder, joy and deep reflection, and all spoke of "a lion with the heart of a child". He had a clear vision and way of life, and his actions came from deep spiritual understanding.

Fr Abd el-Mesih was not a special breed of person. He knew human weakness, felt pain and suffered trials, and the devil fought him many times, yet he came through them all. His austere life is an example to us of perseverance in trials.

Everything in this book is documented in voice recordings or written accounts from metropolitans, bishops, priests, monks and lay people who gladly shared their stories and photos of this great father.

Book details

• Author: Bishop Macarius
• Format: Printed book
• Pages: 130
• Published: 2009, St Shenouda Press
• ISBN: 9780980517132